August 30, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 65, 91, 125
Job 6:1, 7:1-21
Acts 10:1-16
John 7:1-13

II. Selections
Psalm 65:3
When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us,
you forgive our transgressions.

Job 7:11
" ...Therefore I will not restrain my mouth;
I will speak in the anguish of my spirit;
I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. ... " [ Job, to God]

Acts 10:15
The voice said to [ Peter] again, a second time, "What God has made clean, you must not call profane."

John 7:12
And there was considerable complaining about [ Jesus] among the crowds. While some were saying, "He is a good man," others were saying, "No, he is deceiving the crowd."

III. Meditation: Complaining

Sometimes we see cause to acclaim you as good,
sometimes we see cause to complain against you.
But your goodness does not depend
upon our perception of it.

Job spoke out in anguish of spirit,
complained in bitterness of soul.
Job had more grounds than we,
but even his basis was lacking.

When our own deeds of iniquity overwhelm us
and we are overcome by our past transgressions-
sins you have already forgiven-remind us that
what you have made clean, we must not call profane.